--- title: A Brief History of Independence Day description: While parades, fireworks, and backyard grilling may now be the norm, the history of this weekend goes way back to even before the founding of this country. image: https://blog.cetrain.isu.edu/hubfs/Adobe%20Stock%20(SAFE)/US_Flag.png --- [Skip to Main Content](https://blog.cetrain.isu.edu/blog/a-brief-history-of-independence-day#MainContent) ### Subscribe to Email Updates [![CEWT Talk Podcast Side Banner (blog)-1](https://blog.cetrain.isu.edu/hubfs/CEWT%20Talk%20Podcast%20Side%20Banner%20(blog)-1.png "CEWT Talk Podcast Side Banner (blog)-1")](https://blog.cetrain.isu.edu/podcast) [![More Exiting Classes Are Available!](https://blog.cetrain.isu.edu/hs-fs/hubfs/Canva%20images/More%20Exiting%20Classes%20Are%20Available!.png?width=200&height=259&name=More%20Exiting%20Classes%20Are%20Available!.png)](https://cetrain.isu.edu/download-catalog/)   ### Recent Posts ### Posts by Topic - [General Interest (243)](https://blog.cetrain.isu.edu/blog/topic/general-interest) - [CEWT (194)](https://blog.cetrain.isu.edu/blog/topic/cewt) - [Lifelong Learning (107)](https://blog.cetrain.isu.edu/blog/topic/lifelong-learning) - [Professional Development (59)](https://blog.cetrain.isu.edu/blog/topic/professional-development) - [Business (52)](https://blog.cetrain.isu.edu/blog/topic/business) - [Personal Growth (45)](https://blog.cetrain.isu.edu/blog/topic/personal-growth) - [Health & Wellness (38)](https://blog.cetrain.isu.edu/blog/topic/health-wellness) - [Technology (36)](https://blog.cetrain.isu.edu/blog/topic/technology) - [Workforce Training (36)](https://blog.cetrain.isu.edu/blog/topic/workforce-training) - [New Career (35)](https://blog.cetrain.isu.edu/blog/topic/new-career) - [Continuing Education (31)](https://blog.cetrain.isu.edu/blog/topic/continuing-education) - [Did You Know? 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While parades, fireworks and backyard grilling may now be the norm, the history of this weekend goes way back to even before the founding of this country. ## **A Brief History of Independence Day** - **June 11, 1776- **The Colonies’ Second Continental Congress formed a committee to write up a document designed to formally cut ties with Great Britain. They met in Philadelphia. - **July 4, 1776-** The Continental Congress officially adopts the Declaration of Independence, marking the end of the colonies’ ties to Great Britain. - **July 8, 1776-** Along with the first public reading of the Declaration of Independence, bells were rung and bands were assembled in celebration. - **July 4, 1777-** Congress adjourned, marking Independence day. Bonfires, bells, and fireworks also marked the occasion in Philadelphia. - **July 4, 1777-July 4 1870-** Similar celebrations continue to spread throughout the growing nation. Activities especially increased following the war of 1812. - **1870- **Congress officially established Independence Day as a national holiday. - **Late 19th Century-** Independence Day shifts from a political focus to one of leisure and spending time with family and friends. - **1938-** Congress reaffirmed Independence Day as a paid holiday for federal employees. - **July 4, 2021- **Independence Day this year.   Hope you and your family continue to have a wonderful Independence Day weekend this year! Happy 4th of July! ### 0 comments [Leave a comment](https://blog.cetrain.isu.edu/blog/a-brief-history-of-independence-day#comment-form) ```json { "@context" : "https://schema.org", "@type" : "BlogPosting", "author" : { "@type" : "Person", "name" : "Isaac Dayley", "url" : "https://blog.cetrain.isu.edu/blog/author/isaac-dayley" }, "dateModified" : "2026-07-10T16:30:53.756Z", "datePublished" : "2021-07-05T16:03:00.000Z", "headline" : "A Brief History of Independence Day", "image" : [ "https://blog.cetrain.isu.edu/hubfs/Adobe%20Stock%20(SAFE)/US_Flag.png" ], "mainEntityOfPage" : { "@id" : "https://blog.cetrain.isu.edu/blog/a-brief-history-of-independence-day", "@type" : "WebPage" }, "publisher" : { "@type" : "Organization", "logo" : { "@type" : "ImageObject" }, "name" : "ISU Workforce Training" } } ```